Natural hair is a movement that show no signs of stopping any time soon and I am happy about that. A large percentage of the African American community has decided to embrace what grows from their scalp naturally. This natural hair movement has also found our sisters in Africa, Jamaica, Haiti and throughout the UK also returning to their lovely curly coily roots. Although many of us have gone back to our natural curl pattern not everyone opts to take the journey using only natural products. But across the board most black women are avoiding parabens, sulfates and mineral oil. Even the hair products companies have taken noticed and use, no paraben, no sulfates, no mineral oil or petroleum on the front of their products, this makes the product more marketable, although it is still not completely natural. Not containing these things is enough to satisfy the average curly coily woman.
One of the most common discussions and questions that pop up continuously on various hair care forums and youtube is, the use of petroleum. You will see these types of questions. I still use grease on my scalp is that okay? Does mineral oil or petroleum clog your hair follicles and keep your hair from growing? The answer to the first question is, yes it is okay to use grease on your hair. The answer to the second question is, no petroleum does not clog your hair follicles and therefore cannot stop your hair from growing to its potential. Black women of all cultures have used grease for years on their hair and black women have had long hair way before this natural hair care movement.
The Petroleum Facts:
The molecular structure of the grease is to large to clog your hair follicles.Petroleum is number one at keeping bacteria out of products
Petroleum does not attract dirt more than any other oil product.
Petroleum grease does keep moisture from the air, from entering your hair strands as quickly.
Petroleum offers you no nutritional advantages of using it on your scalp.
Although it will not clog your pores there are dozens of other good oils to use instead of petroleum.
The conclusion of petroleum (grease) usage on the hair.
Grease is good to use on your hair if you have pressed or flat ironed your hair and you want to keep it from reverting as quickly. The grease will block the moisture from forming in your hair, thus keeping your hair from reverting. Apply it to your hair only.
If you work in a dirty dust filled environment or outdoors applying grease on your hair will keep bugs and bacteria away.
If you are one of those who must grease your scalps instead of using petroleum try, castor oil, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed and there are many more you can research. These oils feed the hair with nutrients and make the hair better. Petroleum has no nutrients for the hair.
Grease is fine to use but in moderation, if you are on a healthy hair growth journey.
Use grease on your hair and not the scalp.
Remember the grease is repelling moisture so be sure you apply a good amount of leave in conditioner before you apply grease. Do not continue to pile on grease day after day, apply it once and style your hair and leave it.
You should shampoo, not co wash, your hair once or twice a week.
So for my CoilyQueens out there who still love to use grease but you were not sure if you should or not, now you have the freedom to use grease knowing that you are not clogging your hair follicles nor retarding your hair growth.
So the next time those natural snobs start to tell you how bad petroleum is and how it is not natural you will be able to school them.
I Like that! Great info. too!
ReplyDeleteso the mineral oil is not drying to the hair?? I personally try at every expense to stay AWAY from mineral oils or products with mineral oil, too many essential oils to tripp over it though?
ReplyDeleteHow does it dry the hair? You think it builds a barrier and blocks out moisture? That is what is not accurate, the molecular structure of the mineral which is a liquid form or petroleum is not BIG enough to block anything from getting into your hair. Usually there are other factors which are making a persons hair dry, not the mineral oil. This article is for those who have favorite products which they like but the product has mineral oil in it, I want to put those at ease to know that despite what you hear naturals talking about it is not harmful to the hair. This article is not telling you to go out and seek mineral oil, but it is letting you know that it is natural and not harmful. If so why would it be approved for using on babies?
DeleteI absolutely LOVE you for this article. As a geologist, I'm sick and tired of telling sisters that Mineral oil is no less natural than all the oils and butters out there. It's a derivative of petroleum (which originated from the millions of years of high pressure and temperature acting on the remains of organisms), just the same way our oils and butters are derived from their various sources.
ReplyDeleteIt's occlusive properties are EXACTLY the same as any oil or butter that doesn't penetrate the hair shaft ( any oil or butter other than those of avocado, coconut and olives).
Thank you thank you thank you!
Thank you for your comment! Some things just catch on, but people only know a part of the truth. I guess cause it is so thick, it is easy to point the finger at and call it the bad guy. Thanks for you comment!
DeleteI just wanted to say that there are alot of people who are allergic to petroleum based products. That was the case with 2 of my own family members. After I started to make my own products just for them at home they no longer suffer from all of the side effects many people incorrectly diagnose. They were simply having an reaction to mineral oil.
ReplyDeleteThere are many allergies in this world. I have awful allergies yet I use grease only every now and then. Most allergies comes from pollutants. This article is not about allergies but to put at ease those who still desire to use grease from all the noise out there. If you want to use grease use it, if you think it is the cause of your allergies then skip it. Plain and simple.
DeleteLove your common sense advice and sticking to topic for those who are determined to find opposition by redirecting
DeleteNo not a lot of people are allergic to petroleum. But anyone can be allergic to anything. An allergy is from a weak delicate immune system, not necessarily because the product is bad.
ReplyDeleteYes, i even use grease when I do a wash and go. Really helps.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Back when black women used grease & were natural we had hair. I researched topic because my 4c hair dry out so easily. Only Shea Butter and petroleum based grease keeps my hair from breaking to the scalp in a particular area near back.
ReplyDelete4c hair needs to be protected esp in cold climates so protect with thick oil/grease or protective style. I opt for both when I can.
Thank you! Back when black women used grease & were natural we had hair. I researched topic because my 4c hair dry out so easily. Only Shea Butter and petroleum based grease keeps my hair from breaking to the scalp in a particular area near back.
ReplyDelete4c hair needs to be protected esp in cold climates so protect with thick oil/grease or protective style. I opt for both when I can.
This is great I am allergic to a lot of chemicals. I used pretroleum and I don't get a reaction to it x thanks for the advice x
ReplyDelete